Enjoyed an exceptional career at St. Ignatius High School, earning all-scholastic honors three straight years and All-Ohio laurels as a senior, when he captained the Cleveland News all-scholastic team. Scored a then-amazing 58 points in one game in 1951. Named All-European Theatre in basketball, baseball and football while serving in the U.S. Army from 1953-55. Went on to play for the University of Dayton and one season for the professional Cleveland Pipers.